Ep 5: DC / LA Kitchen with Robert Egger

DC / LA Kitchen with Robert Egger

Episode 05: Show Notes

Today on At the End of the Tunnel we are joined by an especially inspiring guest! Robert Eggers has lived a life full of helping others and following his dreams at the same time. From an early age, Robert was entranced by the idea of moving and getting around, his first memories of riding bikes and skating through the neighborhood have a magical quality, something that would stick with him for the rest of his life.

A California native, who relocated to Washington DC as a young teenager, Robert developed a strong desire to own a nightclub to bring people together through the power of music. It was while he was working towards that dream, bartending around the city that he started to volunteer for an organization that fed local homeless people. This kickstarted his desire to help feed more people and he came up with a plan to provide work, food, and opportunities for the down and out, using his passion, network, and determination! Out of this was borne DC Kitchen, a now-infamous non-profit that revolutionized the old, outdated idea of the 'soup kitchen'.

Robert is a true renegade of the non-profit sector and we get to hear exactly how his upbringing, family, and social setting influenced his trajectory. Listeners can expect a perspective-shifting conversation, that might just change the way you feel about consumption and social responsibility. Robert is candid about a lot of contemporary issues that can apply to many of us too, so make sure you join us on the show!

Key Points From This Episode:

Robert's childhood fascination with wheels, moving and traveling.
Family life, Robert's parents and the strong women in his life.
Politics in 1968 and comparing the current world with the atmosphere back then.
News and media consumption in Robert's home and the discussions that were sparked.
The power of music and the early experience Robert had of its transcendent nature.
Watching Casablanca and the obsession that began with opening a nightclub.
Robert's connection to social change and the betrayal he experienced during the 70s.
Getting married, working at a Jazz club and helping on The Great Patrol initiative.
The seeds for the idea of the DC Kitchen and the opposition Robert faced getting the idea off the ground.
Robert's continued dreams of starting the best nightclub in the world!
Using the advantages of white male privilege as a means to create change in the world
The kitchen that Robert started in LA and the difficulty of having to shut it down.
Robert's unfashionable commitment to helping forgotten senior citizens.
The phase of work that Robert is entering now; being more of service.
Robert's move out to New Mexico and finding a new meaning in community meals.
Connecting with Robert online and the reasons behind his latest website branding!